|
CONVERSION MEANS
READING EVENTS
IN THE LIGHT OF
FAITH
VATICAN CITY, 7
MAR 2010 (VIS) -
At midday today,
following his
morning visit to
the Roman parish
of St. John of
the Cross, the
Holy Father
appeared at the
window of his
study in order
to pray the
Angelus with
faithful
gathered below
in St. Peter's
Square.
Commenting on
the first
reading from
today's liturgy
- the narrative
of Moses and the
burning bush
which was not
consumed by the
flames but
continued to
burn, and whence
God called to
Moses - the Pope
explained how
"God shows
Himself in
various ways,
also in our own
lives. However,
in order to
recognise His
presence it is
necessary for us
to approach Him
with an
awareness of our
own lowliness
and with
profound
respect.
Otherwise we
would be
incapable of
meeting and
entering into
communion with
Him".
He then went
on to comment on
the day's Gospel
reading in which
Jesus is asked
about certain
tragic events:
the murder in
the Temple of
certain
Galileans by
order of Pilate,
and the collapse
of a tower that
killed several
passers-by.
"Against the
facile
conclusion of
considering evil
as the effect of
a divine
punishment",
said Benedict
XVI, "Jesus
proclaims the
innocence of
God, Who is good
and cannot wish
evil, and He
warns against
thinking that
calamities are
the immediate
consequence of
the personal
guilt of those
who suffer
them".
Jesus replies
to His
questioners
saying: "Do you
think that
because these
Galileans
suffered in this
way they were
worse sinners
than all other
Galileans? No, I
tell you; but
unless you
repent, you will
all perish as
they did".
Christ, the Pope
explained, "is
inviting us to
read those
events
differently, to
see them in the
perspective of
conversion:
calamities and
tragic events
must not arouse
our curiosity or
our desire to
find the
supposedly
guilty, but
should be
occasions to
reflect, to
reject the
illusion that we
can live without
God and to
strengthen, with
God's help, our
commitment to
change our
lives".
"The
possibility of
conversion
demands that we
learn to read
the events of
life in the
light of faith.
... In the
presence of
suffering and
tragedy, true
wisdom is to ask
ourselves about
the precarious
nature of
existence and to
read human
history with the
eye of God Who,
always wanting
only the good of
His children for
an inscrutable
design of His
love, sometimes
allows them to
be tried by pain
in order to lead
them to a
greater good".
After praying
the Angelus the
Pope greeted,
among others, a
group of French
pilgrims making
particular
mention of the
people affected
by the storm
that struck
western France
last week.
ANG/CONVERSION/...
VIS 100308 (460 |
Life's Joys Are Not the
Goal, Says Pope
Calls Them Lights on
Earthly Pilgrimage
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 28,
2010 ( Zenit.org).-
The joys of life are not
the final goal, but
rather lights on the
path to an eternal
destination, says
Benedict XVI.
This was the conclusion
the Pope came to at the
end of a reflection
today on the
Transfiguration, which
he called an
"extraordinary event"
that is "an
encouragement in
following Jesus."
Before praying the
midday Angelus with
those gathered in St.
Peter's Square, he noted
that the three disciples
who witness the
Transfiguration were
asleep: "It is the
attitude of those who,
although spectators of
divine prodigies, do not
understand them. Only
the struggle against the
torpor that assails them
allows Peter, James and
John to 'see' Jesus'
glory."
"As Moses and Elijah
depart from Jesus," the
Holy Father said
recounting the Gospel
account, "Peter speaks,
and while he is
speaking, a cloud covers
him and the other
disciples with its
shadow; it is a cloud
that, although it
conceals also reveals
God's glory, as happened
for the people of Israel
on pilgrimage through
the desert."
"The eyes can no longer
see," he added, "but the
ears can hear the voice
that comes from the
cloud: 'This is my Son,
my chosen one; listen to
him!'"
Benedict XVI explained
that suddenly, "the
disciples are no longer
before a transfigured
face, nor before a
dazzling garment, nor a
cloud that reveals the
divine presence. Before
their eyes there is
'only Jesus.'
"Jesus is alone before
his Father as he prays,
but at the same time,
Jesus is everything that
is given to the
disciples of all times:
It is what must suffice
on the journey.
"He is the only voice to
listen to, the only one
to follow, he who, going
up to Jerusalem, will
give his life and one
day 'will transfigure
our miserable body to
conform it to his
glorious body.'"
"The Transfiguration
reminds us that the joys
sown by God in our life
are not the
destination," reflected
the Holy Father, "but
they are lights that he
gives us on the earthly
pilgrimage, so that
'only Jesus' is our Law
and his Word the
criterion that guides
our existence."
Pope Asks for Prayer as He
Starts Retreat
Presents Lent as 40 Days of
Spiritual Contest
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 21, 2010
( Zenit.org).-
Benedict XVI entrusted his
spiritual exercises that
started today to the
intercession of the Blessed
Virgin, asking her to pray
that Lent be a time lived
"with joy and fruit." The
Pope said this today before
praying the midday Angelus
with those in St. Peter's
Square. It was his last
public audience until next
weekend, as he began this
evening his seven-day
spiritual exercises.
The Holy Father's address
considered what it means to
"enter into the Lenten
journey." He said the Gospel
from today's liturgy --
detailing Christ's
temptations in the desert --
illustrates the meaning.
"It is evident that there
is an insistence on the fact
that the temptations were no
accident but the consequence
of Jesus’ choice to carry
out the mission entrusted to
him by the Father, to
embrace completely his
reality as beloved Son, who
hands himself over entirely
to the Father," the Pontiff
said. "Christ came into the
world to free us from sin
and the dangerous
fascination of planning our
lives without God.
"He did it not with
high-sounding proclamations,
but by personally struggling
against the Tempter, right
to the cross. This is an
example for all: The world
improves beginning with
ourselves, changing what is
not right in our lives with
the grace of God."
The Bishop of Rome noted
how Christ answered Satan's
suggestions with sacred
Scripture and God's
criteria.
"Jesus answers that God
must never be put to the
test," he said. "We must
never try an experiment in
which God is supposed to
respond and show himself to
be God: We must believe in
him! We must not make God
'material' for our
'experiment!'
"Referring again to
sacred Scripture, Jesus
opposes to human criterion
the only authentic
criterion: obedience,
conformity with God’s will,
which is the foundation of
our being."
Benedict XVI said this is
a "basic teaching" for us:
"If we carry the Word of God
in our heart and in our
mind, if it enters into our
lives, if we have confidence
in God, we can reject any
sort of deception of the
Tempter."
Thus, the Pope said, Lent
can be considered a long
retreat, "during which we
return to ourselves and
listen to God’s voice to
overcome the temptations of
the Evil One and find the
truth of our being. It is a
time, we could say, of
spiritual 'contest' to live
together with Jesus, not
with pride and presumption,
but using the weapons of
faith, that is, prayer,
listening to God’s Word and
penance."
Following this itinerary,
the Holy Father suggested,
"we will be able to
celebrate Easter in truth,
ready to renew the promises
of our baptism."
He concluded: "May the
Virgin Mary help us so that,
guided by the Holy Spirit,
we live this time of grace
with joy and fruit. May she
especially intercede for me
and my co-workers in the
Roman Curia since this
evening we will begin our
retreat."
"This Is the Task That the
Lord's Disciples Are Called to
Undertake"
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 14, 2010 ( Zenit.org).-
Here is a translation of the
public address Benedict XVI gave
today before praying the midday
Angelus with the pilgrims
gathered in St. Peter's Square.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The liturgical year is a
great journey of faith, which
the Church undertakes, always
proceeded by the Virgin Mother
Mary. In the Sundays of Ordinary
Time this year the readings from
the Gospel of Luke trace out
this itinerary. Today's reading
from this Gospel accompanies us
"in a level stretch of land"
(Luke 6:17), where Jesus pauses
with the 12 and where a crowd of
the other disciples and people
from every part gather to listen
to him. It is in this context
that the proclamation of the
"beatitudes" takes place (Luke
6:20-26; cf. Matthew 5:1-12).
Jesus, looking upon his
disciples, says: "Blessed are
you poor... Blessed are you who
hunger now... Blessed are you
who weep now... Blessed shall
you be when men hate you ... and
reject your name" for my sake.
Why does he call them blessed?
Why will the justice of God see
to it that they will be
satisfied, joyous, compensated
for every false accusation, in a
word, why will it welcome them
into his kingdom? The beatitudes
are based on the existence of a
divine justice, which raises up
those who have been wrongly
humiliated and casts down those
who have been exalted (cf. Luke
14:11). In fact, the evangelist
Luke, after the four blessings
adds four admonishments: "Woe to
you rich... Woe to you who are
filled... Woe to you who laugh
now..." and "Woe to you when all
men speak well of you...,"
because, as Jesus states, things
will be reversed, the last will
be first, and the first last
(cf. 13:30).
This justice and this
beatitude are realized in the
"Kingdom of Heaven," or the
"Kingdom of God," which will be
fulfilled at the end of time but
is already present in history.
Where the poor are consoled and
admitted to the banquet of life,
there God's justice is
manifested. This is the task
that the Lord's disciples are
called to undertake even now in
the present society. I think of
the hostel of "Caritas" of Rome
at the Termini Station that I
visited this morning: From my
heart I encourage those who work
in such worthy institutions and
those, in every part of the
world, who freely engage in
similar works of justice and
love.
Justice is the theme that I
have chosen for this year's
Message for Lent, which will
begin on Wednesday -- the day
that we call Ash Wednesday.
Today I would like to offer it
to everyone, inviting all to
read it and meditate on it. The
Gospel of Christ responds
positively to the thirst for
justice in man, but in an
unexpected and surprising way.
Jesus does not propose a
revolution of a social or
political type, but one of love,
which he has already realized
with his cross and his
resurrection. On these are
founded the beatitudes, which
propose a new horizon of
justice, initiated by Easter, by
which we can become just and
build a better world.
Dear friends, let us turn to
the Virgin Mary. All generations
proclaim her "blessed," because
she believed in the good news
that the Lord announced (cf.
Luke 1:45, 48). Let us allow
ourselves to be led by her
through the journey of Lent, to
be liberated from the illusion
of self-sufficiency, recognize
that we need God, his mercy, and
in this way enter into his
Kingdom of justice, of love and
of peace.
[After the Angelus the Pope
greeted the pilgrims in various
languages. In Italian he said:]
On the Divine Call
"Encounter With God Brings Man to
Recognize His Own Poverty"
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 7, 2010 ( Zenit.org).-
Here is a translation of the address
Benedict XVI gave today before and
after praying the midday Angelus
with those gathered in St. Peter's
Square.
* * *
Dear brothers and sisters,
The liturgy of this Fifth Sunday in
Ordinary Time presents us with the
theme of the divine call. In a
majestic vision, Isaiah finds
himself in the presence of the
Thrice-Holy Lord and is seized by a
great fear and by the profound
feeling of his own unworthiness. But
a seraph purifies his lips with a
hot coal and takes away his sin, and
he, making himself ready to answer
the call, exclaims: "Here I am,
Lord, send me!" (cf. Isaiah 6:1-2,
3-8).
The same succession of sentiments is
present in the episode of the
miraculous catch of fish, about
which today's Gospel passage speaks.
Invited by Jesus to lower their
nets, despite a night of fruitless
effort, Simon Peter and the other
disciples, trusting in his word,
make a huge catch. Faced with such a
prodigy, Simon Peter does not throw
his arms around Jesus to express his
joy over the unexpected catch but,
as the Evangelist St. Luke recounts,
falls to his knees, saying: "Depart
from me, Lord, for I am a sinful
man." Jesus then answers him: "Do
not be afraid; from now on I will
make you a fisher of men" (cf. Luke
5:10); and Peter, leaving
everything, follows him.
Paul too, noting that he was a
persecutor of the Church, confesses
that he is unworthy of being called
an apostle, but he recognizes that
the grace of God has accomplished
marvels in him and, despite his own
limitations, has entrusted to him
the task and the honor of preaching
the Gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians
15:8-10). In these three experiences
we see how the authentic encounter
with God brings man to recognize his
own poverty and inadequacy, his
limitations and his sin. But this
fragility notwithstanding, the Lord,
rich in mercy and forgiveness,
transforms man's life and calls man
to follow him.
The humility that Isaiah, Peter and
Paul bear witness to, invites those
who have received the gift of a
divine calling not to focus on their
own limits, but to keep their gaze
fixed on the Lord and on his
surprising mercy, to convert the
heart and continue, with joy, to
"leave everything" for him. He, in
fact does not look at what man
considers important: "Man sees the
appearance but the Lord sees the
heart" (1 Samuel 16:7), and renders
men who are poor and weak, but who
have faith in him, intrepid apostles
and proclaimers of salvation.
In this Year for Priests, let us
pray that the Lord of the harvest
send workers into fields. Let's pray
that those who hear the Lord's
invitation to follow him, after the
necessary discernment, know how to
respond to him with generosity, not
trusting in their own power, but
opening themselves to the action of
his grace. In particular, I invite
all priests to revive their generous
availability to respond to the
Lord's call every day with the same
humility and faith that Isaiah,
Peter and Paul had.
We entrust to the Holy Virgin all
vocations, especially those to the
religious and priestly life. May
Mary awaken in everyone the desire
to say his own "yes" to the Lord
with joy and total dedication.
[After the Angelus the Pope greeted
the pilgrims in various languages.
In Italian he said:]
We celebrate the Day for Life in
Italy today. I gladly join with the
Italian bishops and in their message
on the theme: "The Power of Life: A
Challenge in Poverty." In the
current economic difficulty, those
mechanisms become more harmful that,
causing poverty and creating major
social inequality, wound and offend
life, striking above all the weakest
and most defenseless.
Such a situation consequently calls
for the promotion of an integral
human development to overcome
poverty and need, and above all
reminds us that man's destiny is not
well-being but God himself, and that
human existence must be defended and
favored in all of its stages. No
one, in fact, is the owner of his
life, but we are all called to care
for it and respect it, from the
moment of conception until natural
death.
As we express appreciation for those
who more directly work in the
service of children, the sick and
the elderly, I affectionately greet
the many faithful of Rome who are
present here led by the Cardinal
Vicar and some of the auxiliary
bishops.
The Diocese of Rome gives special
attention to the Day for Life and
extends it into the Week of Life and
the Family. I wish the success of
this initiative and encourage the
activity of the consultors, the
associations and movements, as well
as that of university professors,
engaged in supporting life and the
family.
In this context I would like to note
that Feb. 11, the memorial of Our
Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of
the Sick, I will celebrate Holy Mass
with the sick in St. Peter's
Basilica.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
Pope Reflects on Beauty Found in Today's
Liturgy
The Greatest Gift That Gives Others
Worth
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 31, 2010 ( Zenit.org).-
Benedict XVI says one of the most
beautiful passages in the Bible is found
in today's liturgy, and it indicates the
path to reach perfection. The Pope
spoke of St. Paul's "hymn to charity" (1
Corinthians 12:31-13:13) before he
prayed the midday Angelus today with
those gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Holy Father noted how Paul says
the way of perfection "does not consist
in possessing exceptional qualities:
speaking new languages, knowing all the
mysteries, having a prodigious faith, or
doing heroic deeds. It consists rather
in charity -- 'agape' -- that is, in
authentic love, that love that God
revealed to us in Jesus Christ."
"Charity is the 'greatest' gift," the
Pontiff affirmed, saying it "confers
worth on others, and yet 'does not
boast, does not puff up with pride,'
indeed, 'it rejoices in truth' and the
good of others."
"In the end," he continued, "when we
will meet God face to face, all the
other gifts will disappear; the only one
that will remain in eternity will be
charity, because God is love and we will
be like him, in complete communion with
him."
The Pope added that while we are in
this world, "charity is the Christian
difference."
"The Christian’s whole life is summed
up by charity: what he believes and what
he does," he said. "For this reason, at
the beginning of my pontificate, I
wanted to dedicate my first encyclical
precisely to the theme of love: 'Deus
caritas est.'"
Benedict XVI recalled how the
encyclical illustrates the two
components of charity: meaning and
practice.
"Love is the essence of God himself,
it is the meaning of creation and
history, it is the light that gives
goodness and beauty to every man’s
existence," he explained. "At the same
time, love is the 'style,' of God and
the believer, it is the comportment of
him who, responding to God’s love, makes
his own life a gift of self to God and
neighbor."
And these two aspects "form a perfect
unity" in Jesus, the Pontiff said.
"Fixing our gaze upon him, we can
confess with the Apostle John: 'We have
seen the love that God has for us and we
have believed in it.'"
Saints
Benedict XVI noted how the saints,
with the "variety of their spiritual
gifts, and also their human characters"
are "hymn[s] to charity."
The saints are, he affirmed, "a
living canticle to God’s love!"
Recalling the saint whose feast is
today, St. John Bosco, the Bishop of
Rome concluded by invoking his
intercession "so that priests always be
educators and fathers for young people;
and that, experiencing this pastoral
charity, many young people will welcome
the call to give their life for Christ
and the Gospel. May Mary Our Help, model
of charity, obtain these graces for us."
Pope: Christ Is Center of Christian
Unity
Says Multiplicity of Charisms Enriches
Church
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 24, 2010 ( Zenit.org).-
As the Church concludes its Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity, which ends
Monday, Benedict XVI is affirming that
communion with each other comes through
Christ.
The Pope stated this today in the
public address he gave before praying
the midday Angelus with the pilgrims
gathered in St. Peter's Square.
He referred to today's liturgy, which
featured St. Paul's writings about the
Body of Christ.
"The Church is understood as a body,"
the Pontiff said, "which forms with
Christ, who is the head, one single
whole."
The Apostle "wishes to communicate"
the "unity in the multiplicity of
charisms, which are the gifts of the
Holy Spirit," the Holy Father noted.
He continued, "Thanks to these gifts
the Church presents itself as a rich --
and not a uniform -- living organism,
the fruit of the one Spirit who leads
all into a profound unity, assuming the
differences without abolishing them and
realizing a harmonious ensemble."
Benedict XVI pointed out that "it is
precisely in Christ and in the Spirit
that the Church is one and holy, that
is, an intimate communion that
transcends and sustains human
capacities."
The Pope affirmed that, as is
tradition, he will close the Christian
unity week Monday, the Feast of the
Conversion of St. Paul, with the
celebration of Vespers in the Basilica
of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Representatives from other churches
and ecclesial communities in Rome will
participate in this event, and will "ask
God for the gift of the complete unity
of all the disciples of Christ," the
Pontiff said.
"In particular," he continued,
"according to this year's theme, we will
renew the commitment to being together
witnesses of the crucified and risen
Lord."
"The communion of Christians," The
Holy Father affirmed, "makes the
proclamation of the Gospel more credible
and efficacious."
He concluded, "May the Virgin Mary,
Mother of the Church, obtain for us
always to make progress in communion, to
transmit the beauty of being one in the
unity of the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit."
Pope at Synagogue Proposes 3 Areas for
Teamwork
Calls Jews, Christians to Unite in Defending
God, Life, Family
ROME, JAN. 17, 2010 ( Zenit.org).-
Drawing from their common recognition of the
Ten Commandments, Jews and Christians can
and should unite in defending God, life and
the family, Benedict XVI proposed today as
he visited the Synagogue of Rome. The Pope
became today the second Pontiff to visit the
Roman synagogue; John Paul II went there
almost 24 years ago, in 1986. And it was the
third synagogue the German Pontiff has
visited, after Cologne and New York.
His speech reflected on the common
spiritual patrimony of Jews and Christians,
and affirmed the efforts of the Apostolic
See to save Jews during World War II.
The Bishop of Rome particularly
highlighted the Ten Commandments as "a
shining light for ethical principles, hope
and dialogue, a guiding star of faith and
morals for the people of God." He said the
Commandments are a "beacon and a norm of
life in justice and love, a 'great ethical
code' for all humanity."
They "shed light on good and evil, on
truth and falsehood, on justice and
injustice, and they match the criteria of
every human person's right conscience," he
added.
Areas of cooperation
In this light, Benedict XVI said there
are "several possible areas of cooperation
and witness," and he chose to emphasize
three.
"The 'Ten Commandments' require that we
recognize the one Lord, against the
temptation to construct other idols, to make
golden calves," he said.
And since "in our world there are many
who do not know God or who consider him
superfluous" and "other new gods have been
fabricated to whom man bows down," Jews and
Christians share a common mission, the Pope
suggested.
"Reawakening in our society openness to
the transcendent dimension, witnessing to
the one God, is a precious service which
Jews and Christians can offer together," he
stated.
Secondly, the Ten Commandments "call us
to respect life and to protect it against
every injustice and abuse, recognizing the
worth of each human person," Benedict XVI
noted. "[...] Bearing witness together to
the supreme value of life against all
selfishness, is an important contribution to
a new world where justice and peace reign."
Finally, the Holy Father affirmed that
the Decalogue calls to "preserve and to
promote the sanctity of the family, in which
the personal and reciprocal, faithful and
definitive 'Yes' of man and woman makes room
for the future, for the authentic humanity
of each, and makes them open, at the same
time, to the gift of new life."
He exhorted Jews and Christians to
"witness that the family continues to be the
essential cell of society and the basic
environment in which human virtues are
learned and practiced," saying this "is a
precious service offered in the construction
of a world with a more human face."
VIOLENCE MUST NEVER BE USED TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES
VATICAN CITY, 10 JAN 2010 (VIS) - At the end of
today's Mass in the Sistine chapel, during which he
baptised a group of newborn infants, at midday the
Pope appeared at the widow of his private study to
pray the Angelus with faithful gathered in St.
Peter's Square below.
"Baptism", said the Pope, "gives a very good idea
of the overall meaning of the Christmas festivities,
during which the predominant theme is that of
becoming children of God thanks to the fact that the
only-begotten Son adopted our humanity. He became
man that we might become children of God. God was
born that we might be reborn".
With the Sacrament of Baptism, the Holy Father
continued, human beings "truly become children,
children of God. From that moment the goal of their
lives consists in achieving, freely and consciously,
that which was mankind's aim from the beginning.
'Become what you are' is the basic educational
principle of human beings redeemed by grace. ...
Generated by Baptism to a new life, Christians begin
their journey of growth in the faith, which will
bring them consciously to invoke God as 'Abba-
Father'".
"Baptism also provides a model for society: that
of being brothers. Fraternity cannot be created
through an ideology, even less so by a decree on the
part of some authority. We recognise one another as
brothers on the basis of a humble but profound
awareness of being children of the one heavenly
Father. As Christians, and thanks to the Holy Spirit
we received at Baptism, our lot is to have the gift
and the commitment of living as children of God and
as brothers, in order to become a 'leaven' for a new
humanity, united and rich in peace and hope".
After praying the Angelus the Holy Father spoke of
two events that had caught his attention over recent
days: "the situation of migrants who seek a better
life in countries which, for various reasons, have
need of their presence; and the conflicts in certain
parts of the world in which Christians are subject
to sometimes violent attacks.
"We must return to the heart of the problem", he
added. "We must return to the meaning of the human
person. An immigrant is a human being, different by
background, culture and tradition, but a person to
be respected, and possessing rights and duties,
particularly in the area of work where the
temptation to exploitation is greater, but also in
the area of living conditions. Violence must never
be a way to resolve difficulties. The problems is
first and foremost human. I invite people to look at
the face of the other and discover that he too has a
soul, a story and a life. He is a person and God
loves him just as He loves me".
And the Holy Father continued: "I would like to
make similar considerations concerning man in his
religious diversity. Violence towards Christians in
certain countries has aroused the indignation of
many people, also because it happened on the days
most sacred to Christian tradition. It is important
for both political and religious institutions not to
renege ... on their responsibilities. There can be
no violence in the name of God, nor can we think to
honour Him by offending the dignity and freedom of
our fellow man". |
WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CREATION
VATICAN CITY, 1 JAN 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, shortly
after celebrating Mass in the Vatican Basilica, Benedict XVI
appeared at the window of his private study to pray the Angelus
with thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Recalling the theme of his Message for the forty-third World
Day of Peace - "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect
Creation" - the Pope pointed out that "we are all responsible
for the protection and care of creation. Hence education is
vital in this field too: in order to respect nature we 'must
increasingly begin with far-reaching decisions on the part of
individuals, families, communities and States'.
"And if we must care for the creatures that surround us", he
added, "how much more consideration must we have for people, for
our brothers and sisters! how much respect for human life!"
On this first day of the year Benedict XVI also launched "an
appeal to the consciences of members of armed groups of whatever
kind. To all of you I say: stop, reflect and abandon the way of
violence. In the immediate, this step may seem impossible but,
if you have the courage to take it, God will help you and you
will feel the joy of peace return to your hearts, a joy you may
perhaps have long forgotten. I entrust this appeal to the
intercession of Mary Mother of God".
After recalling how Jesus' name means "God saves", the Holy
Father affirmed that "Jesus is the face of God, He is a blessing
for all individuals and all peoples, He is the peace of the
world. Thank you, Most Holy Mother, for having given birth to
the Saviour, the Prince of peace".
Pope Expresses Wish for Peace and Joy to All
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 ( Zenit.org).-
Benedict XVI is expressing the wish that this Christmas, all
people will find true happiness in the Baby Jesus.
The Pope affirmed this today after imparting the blessing
(to the city of Rome and the world).
Speaking in Italian to the faithful gathered in St.
Peter's Square, as well as all those listening on radio and
television, the Pontiff underlined the "new hope" brought by
Christ's birth.
The contemplation of the "poor and lowly cave in
Bethlehem," he said, can teach families and communities a
"simple, transparent and welcoming way of life, full of
gestures of love and forgiveness."
The Pontiff extended Christmas greetings in 65 languages.
In English, he said: "May the birth of the Prince of Peace
remind the world where its true happiness lies; and may your
hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been
born for us."
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Jesus Is Hope for World in Crisis, Says Pope
Thus, the Church Has No Fear
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 ( Zenit.org).-
For a world in financial and moral crisis, the Baby Jesus is
a light in the darkness, Benedict XVI is affirming.
The Pope stated this today in his traditional Christmas
message, which he delivered today at noon from the balcony
of St. Peter's Basilica.
"The light of that first Christmas was like a fire
kindled in the night," he said. "All about there was
darkness, while in the cave there shone the true light."
"God loves to light little lights, so as then to
illuminate vast spaces," the Pontiff affirmed.
This is the history of the Church, he said, which began
its journey "in the lowly cave of Bethlehem, and down the
centuries it has become a people and a source of light for
humanity."
"Today too," the Holy Father affirmed, "in those who
encounter that Child, God still kindles fires in the night
of the world, calling men and women everywhere to
acknowledge in Jesus the 'sign' of his saving and liberating
presence and to extend the 'us' of those who believe in
Christ to the whole of mankind."
"Wherever there is an 'us' that welcomes God's love,
there the light of Christ shines forth, even in the most
difficult situations," he added.
"The Church does not fear," Benedict XVI said, "for that
Child is its strength."
He continued: "But she does not keep him for herself: She
offers him to all those who seek him with a sincere heart,
to the earth's lowly and afflicted, to the victims of
violence, and to all who yearn for peace.
"Today too, on behalf of a human family profoundly
affected by a grave financial crisis, yet even more by a
moral crisis, and by the painful wounds of wars and
conflicts, the Church, in faithful solidarity with mankind,
repeats with the shepherds: 'Let us go to Bethlehem,' for
there we shall find our hope."
--- --- ---
Jesus Is Hope for World in Crisis, Says Pope
Thus, the Church Has No Fear
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2009 ( Zenit.org).-
For a world in financial and moral crisis, the Baby Jesus is
a light in the darkness, Benedict XVI is affirming.
The Pope stated this today in his traditional Christmas
message, which he delivered today at noon from the balcony
of St. Peter's Basilica.
"The light of that first Christmas was like a fire
kindled in the night," he said. "All about there was
darkness, while in the cave there shone the true light."
"God loves to light little lights, so as then to
illuminate vast spaces," the Pontiff affirmed.
This is the history of the Church, he said, which began
its journey "in the lowly cave of Bethlehem, and down the
centuries it has become a people and a source of light for
humanity."
"Today too," the Holy Father affirmed, "in those who
encounter that Child, God still kindles fires in the night
of the world, calling men and women everywhere to
acknowledge in Jesus the 'sign' of his saving and liberating
presence and to extend the 'us' of those who believe in
Christ to the whole of mankind."
"Wherever there is an 'us' that welcomes God's love,
there the light of Christ shines forth, even in the most
difficult situations," he added.
"The Church does not fear," Benedict XVI said, "for that
Child is its strength."
He continued: "But she does not keep him for herself: She
offers him to all those who seek him with a sincere heart,
to the earth's lowly and afflicted, to the victims of
violence, and to all who yearn for peace.
"Today too, on behalf of a human family profoundly
affected by a grave financial crisis, yet even more by a
moral crisis, and by the painful wounds of wars and
conflicts, the Church, in faithful solidarity with mankind,
repeats with the shepherds: 'Let us go to Bethlehem,' for
there we shall find our hope."
--- --- ---
CHRISTMAS IS GOD'S RESPONSE TO THE DRAMA OF HUMANKIND
VATICAN CITY, 20 DEC 2009 (VIS) - Bethlehem, considered as a symbol
of peace, was the theme of the Pope's reflections before praying the
Angelus at midday today with faithful gathered in St. Peter's
Square.
The
Pope began by referring to today's liturgy in which the prophet
Micah invites people to look to "Bethlehem of Ephrathah, ... one of
the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who
is to rule in Israel". Bethlehem, the Pope explained, "is also the
symbolic city of peace, in the Holy Land and throughout the world.
"Unfortunately", he added, "in our own time it does not represent a
firm and stable peace, but a peace still sought and awaited. Yet God
never resigns Himself to this state of affairs and thus, this year
too, in Bethlehem and throughout the world, the mystery of Christmas
will be renewed in the Church, a prophecy of peace for all mankind
which calls on Christians to enter into the closures and dramas of
the world, often unknown and unseen, and into the conflicts of the
contexts in which they live. There they must being the sentiments of
Jesus so that everywhere they may become instruments and messengers
of peace and bring love where there is hatred, forgiveness where
there is injury, joy where there is sadness and truth where there is
error, in the words of a famous Franciscan prayer".
The
Holy Father concluded by saying that "today, as in Jesus' own time,
Christmas is not a children's fable but God's response to the drama
of humankind as it seeks true peace. 'He shall be the one of peace'
says the prophet referring to the Messiah. It is up to us to open
wide the doors to welcome Him. ... Happy Christmas to everyone!"
ANG/CHRISTMAS/...
VIS 091221 (310)
POPE TO CURIA: 2009, A YEAR PASSED UNDER THE SIGN OF AFRICA
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